Witness in the Dark (Love Under Fire #1)(80)

“Sam, no, I—”

“They just gave me the nod. I have to go.”

She started to hang up before he could stop her with his own lies. She didn’t want to hear them. But she wasn’t quite fast enough.

“I think you are the bravest person I’ve ever met,” he said softly. “And you’ll always be Sam to me, no matter what your name is when you’re finished with this damn trial.”

She choked back the sting of tears. “Remember when you told me all of this was the price for truth?” she asked, resting her head against her knees again.

“Yeah.”

“I’m not sure it’s worth it. I mean, Heather’s still dead, and my friends think I am, too. I lost my entire life in order to tell the truth, and it might not even do any good. What if his four fancy attorneys get him off?”

She could hear Garrett breathe, and took some small comfort in that. Though, she’d much rather have his arms around her.

“What kind of life would you have had if you’d turned your back?” he said quietly. “If you didn’t speak up, and let a killer walk free to do it again and again? Wouldn’t that be far worse?”

Honestly, she couldn’t answer that. So, she just sighed.

“I know this is hard on you, but once Howe is convicted, you’ll feel better about it all. You can start a new life.”

“Yeah.” She looked over and saw Justin standing in the doorway, pointing at his wristwatch. She gave him a wave and he walked away. “I need to go.”

“Be safe. You have my number now if you need it. Don’t hesitate to call.”

“If I call, it means my new team is trying to kill me, and I think I just might let them.” She shook her head. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry. Thank you for checking on me.”

“Everything’s going to be okay. Get up off that floor and go out there, knowing you’re doing the right thing.”

She blinked. Get up off the floor?

She shot up and went to the window. She put her hand on the glass and scanned the city before her. He was out there somewhere. Watching her. Making sure she was safe.

Irrational, dizzy happiness flowed through her just knowing he cared enough to do that for her.

She mouthed the words, “I love you” and heard his breath catch.

“Sam…I have to go.” His resigned tone brought her back to the hard reality.

Her shoulders slumped, and her joy turned to dust.

“Goodbye, Garrett.”

She hung up before he said anything else to break her heart.





Chapter Sixty-Six


Sam went out to the living room to find Justin and Angel waiting for her.

Angel looked over her outfit with approval. Justin came up and fitted her into a Kevlar vest.

Things were getting too real.

It took them two hours to get through all the security and into the courtroom. The precautions would have seemed like overkill if she hadn’t been chased down and shot at more than once.

At last they arrived outside the courtroom doors, ready to go in.

“Did Garrett already testify?” she asked Angel.

“I think so,” Angel answered as the bailiff opened the door for them.

“Oh.” Sam’s disappointment must have shown.

“For what it’s worth,” Angel said, “this job makes relationships difficult. It’s not you, it’s him.” Angel gave her a sad smile and rubbed her shoulder.

Sam appreciated the sisterly gesture. But it didn’t help. She knew it wasn’t him. It was her. To be with her, Garrett would have to give up his whole life to go into witness protection with her. She just wasn’t worth that kind of sacrifice.

In the courtroom, she sat next to Angel. Justin was on her other side, and her father sat right behind her. She searched the room for Garrett, but didn’t find him.

Instead, she saw a different face, horrifyingly familiar.

Congressman Ashton Howe.

Her heart pounded as he glared straight at her. If looks could kill, she’d be dead. Thankfully, he didn’t have lasers in his eyes.

The district attorney called her up to the stand. She sat down and placed her hand on the Bible, repeating the words she was instructed to say.

Yes, she would tell the truth. That was why she had given up her entire life. And the man she loved. All for the truth.

Hugh asked her all the questions he’d prepared her to answer. She went over every detail of that dreadful night for what she hoped would be the last time.

Eventually, he was satisfied with her testimony, and she was dismissed for the day.

“You did great,” Angel praised her as she buckled up her vest and got her ready to be transported back to the Bird Cage.

“Thanks.”

“I have a surprise for you back at the apartment.”

“Really?” She perked up, hoping it was Garrett.

When she saw her father sitting in the living room, she tried not to look disappointed, even though her heart dropped down to her feet.

“Hello, Sam.” He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Very fatherly.

The table was set and the place smelled like food.

“Unfortunately, we can’t go out for dinner. But I took the liberty of having dinner delivered, so we can have a nice, relaxing meal tonight.” He smiled as he put his gun on the table. Then froze, as if he realized it was bad etiquette.